• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.66-72
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• 2008

Total metals, soluble metals, and bioavailable metals were monitored at the sediments of urban lakes located in Seoul, Korea during spring season 2006. The metals measured were zinc, arsenic, chromium, copper, nickel, and cadmium, which are known to be toxic to human health and ecosystems. The main sources of heavy metals in the lakes were urban runoff and atmospheric deposition associated with air pollution in urban areas. Extraction by using a weak electrolyte solution (0.1 M $Ca(NO_3)_2$) was used to predict bioavailability of the metals. Among the six heavy metals studied, copper was the most bioavailable, based the weak electrolyte extraction techniques. Since metal toxicity is related to metal bioavailability, the results were consistent with the high ecotoxicity of copper, compared to other heavy metals. Overall results suggest that there was no direct relationship between total and bioavailable metal concentration, although zinc, copper and cadmium show some relationships.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.148-156
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• 2017

The wide distribution of redox-sensitive elements (RSE) as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), selenium (Se), and strontium (Sr) in the top soil of Siwaqa area are related to the weathering action of alkaline surface and groundwater on the parent rocks. The bioavailability, distribution, sorption, and ecotoxicity of As, Cd, Se, and Sr, of the wild plants and top soils in the study area were investigated. A total number of 23 surface soil samples and 23 plant samples were collected and analyzed for the most toxic elements. The uptake of elements by plants was dependent on the plant species and the concentration of elements in the soil. For example, Sr was the highest concentration in soil samples and plants, while Se was the lowest concentration in soil samples and pants. For the plants, the results showed that Bellevalia sp. had the highest elements uptake, while Allium rothii had the lowest elements uptake. The results of this work provide a valuable knowledge for understanding the bioavailability of some toxic elements in the soil and plants of Central Jordan. The results are expected to be of great help for the Jordanian Uranium Mining Company during their environmental risk assessments.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1253-1264
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• 2015

This study assessed the fertilizing value of struvite deposit recovered from swine wastewater in cultivating Chinese cabbage. Struvite deposit was compared with commercial fertilizers: complex, organic and compost to evaluate the fertilizing effect of struvite deposit. Laboratory pot test obviously presented that the struvite deposit more facilitated the growth of Chinese cabbage than organic and compost fertilizers even though complex fertilizer was the most effective in growing Chinese cabbage. It was revealed that the growth rate of Chinese cabbage was simultaneously controlled by phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Also, the nutrients such as nitrogen (N), P, K, calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) were abundantly observed in the vegetable tissue of struvite pot. Specifically, P was the most abundant component in the vegetable tissue of struvite pot. Meanwhile, the utilization of struvite as a fertilizer led to the lower accumulation of chromium ($Cr^{6+}$) than other pots, except for compost fertilizer pots, and no detection of cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and nickel (Ni) in the Chinese cabbage. The experimental results proved that the optimum struvite dosage for the cultivation of Chinese cabbage was 2.0 g struvite/kg soil. On the basis of these findings, it was concluded that the struvite deposits recovered from swine wastewater were effective as a multi-nutrient fertilizer for Chinese cabbage cultivation.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.193-200
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• 2011

Objectives: Blood lead and hyperhomocysteinemia have been found to be associated with cardiovascular disease. The objective of the present study was to assess the relationship of lead biomarkers on plasma homocysteine and blood pressure. Methods: To evaluate the effect of lead biomarkers including blood lead on plasma homocysteine and blood pressure in retired lead workers, 66 retired lead workers without any occupational exposure to organic solvent, mercury and arsenic were agreed to participate this study. For the control subjects 42 controls were recruited from same area of retired lead workers with consideration of demographic characteristics. Results: The mean levels of blood lead and ZPP of retired lead workers were significantly higher than control group. There were positive significant correlations between blood lead and plasma homocysteine, also systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The multiple linear regression analysis also reveled that plasma homocysteine was significantly associated with blood lead after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, lead exposure, smoking and drinking. Diastolic blood pressure was significantly associated with blood lead, plasma homocysteine, and total cholesterol; whereas, systolic blood pressure was significantly associated with plasma homocysteine only. Conclusions: Blood lead showed significant association with plasma homocysteine and blood pressure even after more than mean 10 years from their retirements.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.670-678
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• 2017

Persimmon seeds contain considerable amounts of minerals, amino and organic acids, natural antioxidants and phenolic compounds. The objective of this study was to investigate quality characteristics and antioxidant potential of Korean persimmon seeds. The pH (4.88-4.94), color values, contents of minerals, free amino acids, organic acids, and phenolic compounds and DPPH free radical scavenging potentials of persimmon seed extracts significantly (p < 0.05) varied with the genotypes. This study showed that the seeds could be used as a source of different mineral elements (47.14-85.07 mg/kg) without any measureable amount of heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury. Similarly, considerable amounts of organic (1550.13-2413.08 mg/kg) and essential amino (50.85-54.03 mg/kg) acids and total phenolic compounds ($1227.91-1307.78{\mu}g$ gallic acid equivalent/g) were also found in the seed extracts, indicating their potential food value as a natural antioxidant. Results of the present study imply that prethanol-A, a food preservative, can be used as an effective extraction to obtain the minerals, organic and free amino acids, and phenolic compounds from the persimmon seeds, which possess a big potential to be commercially used in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.265-275
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• 2013

China is one of the countries with the highest reserves of coal bed methane (CBM) in the world. Likewise, the CBM industry is significantly growing in China. However, activities related to CBM development have led to more environmental problems, which include serious environmental damage and pollution caused by CBM-produced water. In this paper, the detailed characteristics of CBM-produced water in the southern Qinshui Basin were investigated and analyzed and compared with local surface water and coal mine drainage. Most of CBM-produced water samples are contaminated by higher concentration of total dissolved solids (TDS), K (Potassium), Na (Sodium) and $NH_4$. The alkalinity of the water from coalmines and CBM production was higher than that of the local surface water. The concentrations of some trace elements such as P (Phosphorus), Ti (Titanium), V (Vanadium), Cr (Chromium), Ni (Nickel), Zn (Zinc), Ge (Germanium), As (Arsenic), Rb (Rubidium), and Pd (Palladium) in water from the coalmines and CBM production are higher than the acceptable standard limits. The ${\delta}D$ and ${\delta}^{18}O$ values of the CBM-produced water are lower than those of the surface water. Similarly, the ${\delta}D$ values of the CBM-produced water decreased with increasing drainage time.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2016

This study evaluated the fertilizing value of struvite deposit recovered from swine wastewater in cultivating lettuce. Struvite deposit was compared to complex fertilizer, organic fertilizer and compost to evaluate the fertilizing effect of struvite deposit. Laboratory pot test showed that the struvite deposit better enhanced lettuce growth in comparison to commercial fertilizers. It was revealed that the growth rate of lettuce was simultaneously controlled by phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg). Moreover, nutrients such as nitrogen (N), P, K, calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) were abundantly observed in the vegetable tissue of struvite pot. Meanwhile, struvite application led to the lower accumulation of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), chromium ($Cr^{6+}$) and nickel (Ni). In addition, no detection of cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and nickel (Ni) in the lettuce tissue was observed in struvite application pots. The experimental results proved that the optimum struvite dosage for lettuce cultivation was 0.5 g struvite/kg soil. The column experiments clearly showed that ammonia nitrogen was more slowly released from struvite deposit than from complex fertilizer. Consequently, it was concluded that the struvite deposits recovered from swine wastewater were effective as a multi-nutrient fertilizer for lettuce cultivation.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.434-439
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• 2012

This study was conducted to determine the contents of heavy metal in commercial herbal medicines. The monitoring of lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury was carried out on 100 samples with 10 kinds of herbal medicines. The contents of heavy metal were measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and mercury analyzer. The mean values of heavy metal contents for herbal medicines were Pb 1.87 mg/kg, As 0.39 mg/kg, Cd 0.26 mg/kg and Hg 0.021 mg/kg. Of the total samples, 19 samples (19%, 4 types) were violated the KFDA regulatory guidance of heavy metal in herbal medicines (9 samples on Pb, 10 samples on Cd). Among these 19 unsuitable samples, 16 samples were domestic and 3 samples were imported. Therefore, we need continuously monitoring to ensure confidence and safety for these herbal medicines.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.349-356
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• 2003

As industrial activities are growing, pollutants found in the contaminated land are getting diverse. Some contaminated areas are subject to mixed wastes containing both organic and inorganic wastes such as hydrocarbon and heavy metals. This study concerns with the influence of the degradation of organic pollutants on the coexisting heavy metals, expecially for As. As mainly exists as two different oxidation state; As(III) and As(V) and the conversion between the two chemical forms may be induced by organic degradation in the soil contaminated by mixed wastes. We operated microcosm in an anaerobic chamber for 60 days, using sandy loam. The soils in the microcosm are artificially contaminated both by tetradecane and As, with different combination of As(III) and As(V); As(III):As(V) 1:1, As(III) only and As(V) only. Although not systematic, ratio of As(III)/As(Total) increase slightly at the later stage of experiment. Considering complicated geochemical reactions involving oxidation/reduction of organic materials, Mn/Fe oxides and As, the findings in the study seem to indicate the degradation of the organics is connected with the As speciation. That is to say, the As(V) can be reduced to As(III) either by direct or indirect influence induced by the organic degradation. Although Fe and Mn are good oxidising agent for the oxidation of As(III) to As(V), organic degradation may have suppressed reductive dissolution of the Fe and Mn oxides, causing the organic pollutants to retard the oxidation of As(III) to As(V) until the organic degradation ceases. The possible influence of organic degradation on the As speciation implies that the As in mixed wastes may be have elevated toxicity and mobility by partial conversion from As(V) to As(III).

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.37 no.10
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• pp.590-595
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• 2015

Sampling campaigns were conducted for hazardous chemicals and heavy metals in influents and effluents of industrial wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Korea for best management practices (BMPs) of those pollutants through the plants and the receiving water bodies. Twenty seven WWTPs, receiving wastewater from industrial complexes and treating more than $2,000m^3/day$, were selected for the sampling campaign. Influents and effluents of each WWTPs were sampled once a month (total three times per plant) between July and September, 2012, and analyzed for 22 hazardous water pollutants among 28 regulated for effluents limits in Korea. Concentrations of mercury, arsenic, 1,1-dichloroethylene, and benzene in the influents were relatively higher; concentrations of mercury and arsenic in effluents were relatively higher than those of other pollutants. Most of the hazardous chemicals and heavy metals were removed (including phase transfer) more than 60% through the treatment processes except for selenium (30% removal) and 1,4-dioxane (18% removal).